Soon kids will be out of school for summer break and looking for fun things to do to occupy their time away from class. Camp provides children with many benefits including building self confidence, gaining independence and making new friends.

Southern Illinois offers a variety of camping experiences for children of all personality types. There are a variety of camp opportunities throughout the area. If you have a camp that you would like to share with SI Families please share them with us by clicking here.

​Happy Camping!

Camp Odessonk is located in the Shawnee National Forest in Ozark, Illinois. The camp opened in 1959 and provides children a place to have fun, grow spiritually and develop values. ‘Camp O’ is owned and operated by the Catholic Diocese of Belleville, Illinois. People of all faiths are invited to attend.

Mini-camp is available for kids ages 8 to 10 and last three days and three nights. There are nine sessions and registration has already started. Older kids spend six days and nights doing a variety of activities which include a horseback ride, archery, riflery, swimming canoeing, kayaking and much more. Sessions range in price, so check the website for options and the opportunity for scholarships.

In the woods of Little Grassy Lake children and young adults can experience the great outdoors at Camp Carew. Games, crafts and sports are part of the activities. Campers also participate in Bible study over the course of six days. Registration is happening right now. Go online or call (618) 457-5596 to learn more.

Camp Manitowa in Benton is open to kids in second through ninth grade. Two-week sessions start June 13. One week sessions are also available. A Smoky Mountain Adventure trip for ninth and tenth graders is happening this year. Two trips are planned, June 20-26 and July 18-24.

Activities at Manitowa include a variety of sports. There’s a 50 foot climbing tower, ropes course and a 400 foot zip line. Water skiing, tubing, canoeing and kayaking as well as swimming, fishing and ‘dive-in’ movies are part of the fun too. Campers are shuttled to Rend Lake College, the community of Benton and the Shawnee National Forest. Yoga, jewelry-making, improv, baking and video production are a few of the classes offered. Call the camp office in St. Louis at (314) 348-6412 for more information.

Camp DuBois is a little bit of a trip located in Washington County, but it offers a variety of themed camps each summer. It’s a United Church of Christ camp, but is open to any child interested in the programs. You’ll find typical camp activities like horseback riding, ropes course and swimming. Themes this year include Outpost Lab. It’s described as ‘Mad Science’ meets ‘Survivorman’. Campers in grades six through nine are invited to attend. They’ll practice outdoor living skills and learn the why behind them.

Horse camps are also available at DuBois. These sessions allow riding everyday (weather permitting) and focus on equine care and ownership. For younger campers, there’s a ‘Just You and Me Camp’ which allows one adult and one child to spend a few days together. This session is for kids 5 to 7. Registration is going on right now. Call (618) 654-4052 or go to the DuBois Center website for more details.

Sleep-away camp may not be the best option for your family. There are several day camps available here too.

SIU has dozens of day camps for kids of all ages. There are a handful of LEGO themed camps. For teenagers, there’s a mindfulness camp which teaches yoga, concentration techniques and anxiety reduction methods. Overnight camps are available on campus too, including radio and TV news camp, architecture camp and writers’ workshop. Athletic camps are also being held this year. Cheer, dance, track and field, baseball and soccer enthusiasts can all learn from these sessions. Artists of all types can get hands-on experience in areas like drawing, painting and sculpture. Prices and dates vary. Registration is underway now. Details can be found here.

The Hub Recreation Center in Marion has week-long summer camps. The sessions are May 30 until August 5. The camp is Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. These camps are for children between the ages of four and 13. Campers need to bring swim attire, a towel, lunch, snacks and at least two drinks. The cost is $100 a week for Hub members and $150 a week for non-members. There is also a one time, $20 registration fee. A parent orientation is planned Friday, May 20 from 6 to 8 p.m.

The Hub also has several sports camps planned this summer. They are held in June and July from 3 to 5 p.m. Camps include indoor soccer, basketball, cheerleading, tennis, volleyball and all sports. These sessions cost $50 for members and $100 for non-members. Sessions vary, so call (618) 997-2HUB for more details on what the Hub has to offer.